But Coun Ann Lucas, leader of Coventry council, said: “Coventry City Council owns around 190 acres of a 650 acre site in Warwick District Council.

“At this stage, Coventry City Council has simply informed Warwick District Council it would be willing to sell this land for housing development.

“This could provide the council with more than £25million in capital receipts, and could provide between 3,500 and 5,000 much needed new homes in the area.

“Any decision to develop on this land will be made by Warwick District Council and would depend on the land being identified for housing in (their) local plan which has not been finalised yet.”

But Wainbody ward councillor Tim Sawdon has vowed to do everything in his power to ensure that the scheme does not go ahead, saying: “The residents of Finham are totally opposed to these proposals, as are all three Wainbody councillors.

“I will fight tooth and nail to stop these plans going ahead.

Coun Tim Sawdon

“I want to make it quite clear that I am adamantly opposed to any development on King’s Hill.

“It would completely damage a Green Belt area that Coventry needs on its boundaries.

“The city would be encroaching further and further on the green strip between Kenilworth and Coventry.”

Warwick District Council’s draft local plan is still under consultation until June 27.

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